NPS Visitor and Resource Protection
The Morning Report

Thursday, November 21, 2002


INCIDENTS


02-598
Catoctin Mountain Park (MD)
Helicopter Extraction of Injured Hiker

A visitor hiking in the area of Chimney Rock failed to negotiate a crevasse on the afternoon of November 9 and fell about 15 feet. Other members of his party advised rangers of the accident and injury. The Park Police aviation unit was notified and dispatched helicopter Eagle Two to assist with the rescue. Rangers, county fire and rescue personnel, state police and a USPP sergeant (on protection detail to Camp David at the time) participated in the rescue. Eagle Two flew overhead and dropped a stokes litter, tag lines and a spider rig from the helicopter on a hoist to the rescue team. Once the equipment was delivered, Eagle Two orbited the area as the rescue team stabilized the patient and secured him in the stokes litter. Once the rescue team was ready, Eagle Two hovered over the hoisting site and lifted the litter and patient 80 feet to the helicopter. Eagle Two then rendezvoused with Maryland State Trooper One helicopter at a predetermined site. The victim was transferred and flown to a hospital. The crew of Eagle Two consisted of pilot K.W. Duckworth and rescue technicians K.A. Harasek and J.J. Dillon.
[Submitted by Sergeant Scot R. Fear, PIO, US Park Police]



02-599
Natchez Trace Parkway (AL,MS,TN)
Fatal Auto Accident

On the morning of November 17, park dispatch received a report of a single vehicle accident at milepost 118 in the Ridgeland District. Preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the vehicle, M.B., overcorrected after her car went off the roadway, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, which then struck a tree with the impact centered on the passenger side door post. L.B., 63, was in the passenger seat. He was transported to University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was pronounced dead. M.B. was uninjured. The B.s are residents of Longview, Texas, and were returning home after a trip to Starkville, Mississippi.
[Submitted by Jackie Henman, Assistant Chief Ranger]




PARKS AND PEOPLE


Big Thicket National Preserve (TX)
GS-9 Protection Ranger

The park is seeking candidates interested in a lateral transfer into a permanent GS-9 protection ranger position. The ranger selected will be responsible for daily patrol by foot, vehicle, boat and/or all terrain vehicles. The park has many resource issues that rangers address on a regular basis, including hunting violations, boundary management and protection of nationally significant natural resources. The park offers excellent training opportunities and a wide variety of traditional ranger duties. This is not a required occupancy position, but housing consisting of a three-bedroom house in a quiet area of the park may be available. For further information, please contact chief ranger Mark Peapenburg at 409-839-2690 ext. 227.
[Submitted by Mark Peapenburg, Chief Ranger]




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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.

Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.